On My Mind: Are Influencers & Bloggers Just Becoming Models?

This question has been on my mind for quite some time, so I thought it would be productive to write a bit of a think piece to make sense of my thoughts. I’m not writing this post to answer the title question with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. I’m simply writing it to play devils advocate and to start a bit of a conversation in the blogosphere. Are Influencers and Bloggers Just Becoming Models?

Blogging has now become a recognised profession and influencer marketing is now a huge industry. Brand collaborations make up a large part of a full time bloggers and influencers pay-checks (including mine), so it’s only natural that we’re going to see our favourite influencers featuring different brands and products. In my opinion, these brands are getting an incredible deal from influencers. Exposure aside, bloggers are creating beautiful, unique content for brands featuring their products, for a fee. What did brands do before this type of content was available? They had to hire a studio, a photographer, a make up artist and of course, models! That all costs a substantial amount of money, and it doesn’t come with a readily engaged audience. Not to say brands don’t still do professional shoots, but bloggers can showcase products to their target audience in a more organic and authentic way.

When I say ‘product’ this could be anything from a handbag to a watch, or from a hotel to a holiday. The products vary, but I’ve found that a common requirement is that I (the blogger) need to feature in the photo they’ve asked me to create. Suddenly, this changes everything.

With these requirements, the blogger is no longer behind the camera. Despite their natural eye for photography or the unique shooting style that initially got them noticed, the blogger is now in front of the camera. The blogger is the photo subject. So who takes the photos?

Of course there are Instagram husbands, friends, parents and siblings who might be willing to help out and get a few quick snaps. I’ve relied on my boyfriend, friends and fellow bloggers to take my photos and until now I’ve done just fine. But recently I have felt like the photos they take for me aren’t good enough. In terms of beautiful photography, the bar is constantly being raised and I want to stay at the top of it. I recently decided to enlist the help of a professional photographer for the very first time, Leeds-based photographer Matt McCormick. The driving decision maker that pushed me to do it was the fact I was collaborating with a jewellery brand. I wanted to impress the brand I was collaborating with and physically couldn’t have got the shots myself as I had to 'model' the jewellery. The photos in this post were actually taken on our test shoot in Leeds.

I had very mixed feelings about working with a photographer for the first time. I felt excited what kind of photos we might create and I felt relieved that we’d share the same end goal of getting that ‘perfect shot’. But I also felt uneasy as I felt like I was handing over the creative control. Ultimately I knew that the photography would be all his work. Not mine. Did the jewellery brand want my photography style, or did they just want me to be in the photos with their product? Had I just gone from blogger to model?

To an extent, I did just feel slightly like a model. Not in a glamorous Victoria-Secret / Gigi Hadid sense, but just in the sense that I was the photo subject. Matt brought his own camera and equipment and took all the photos. He edited the photos himself and sent the final versions over to me a day or so later.

But on reflection I realised that there was so much that went in to it. Although Matt did physically take the photos, I think my creative vision massively influenced the final shots. I decided on the location of the shoot (the tiled hall café), I styled myself with an outfit I thought would compliment the jewellery and I clearly explained my vision for the photos. I then edited the final images in my own way. Before the shoot, I already knew the story behind the images and could already see them in my head. Matt and I worked together to bring them to life. When I think of it like that, I wasn’t just a model at all. Yes I was in the photos, but I also had the role of ‘creative director’.

Are Bloggers Just Becoming Models? My Conclusion

I loved the final result of the photos and felt they fit well with my general photography style and Instagram aesthetic. I would definitely work with a photographer again, if they were happy for it to be a collaborative effort. I don’t just want to feel like a model.

Bloggers and Influencers are working with photographers more and more frequently and I think overall this is a positive thing. It shows that the industry is becoming more professional and bloggers can produce high quality content that brands are willing to pay for. Part of me is a little sad that there is less call for raw, real and unedited photos, but I think that’s now the role of Instagram Stories and live social streaming. Embracing change can only be a good thing so whilst I will continue to take my own photos, I will definitely call upon the help of a Photographer when I need it.

Are bloggers just becoming models or do you see it as more of a collaborative effort? Do you love to see polished photography or raw photos on blogs and social media? I’d absolutely love to hear your opinion on this topic, so please do leave a comment in the box below. Jess x

Below are a couple of my favourite jewellery shots from the shoot. All pieces available on danielladraper.com

Comments

This is something I’ve been thinking for a while now. Although I’m a travel blogger the biggest part of the blogging passion for me has been taking the photos and quite honestly I hate being the model in them – I’d rather photograph someone else. This has lead to me feeling like I’m not moving on with the blogging world because I’m not keen on creating images with myself in them. It is certainly a tricky one. Your photos always look great btw 🙂

Thanks for your comment Jodie! It’s so interesting to get people’s points of views. I think lots of bloggers started out because they enjoyed being behind the camera, and there’s definitely an increasing pressure to always feature in your photos, with the logic that people will connect more with your content if they see you in the photos. I think there is definitely some truth in that but I don’t want the pressure to feature in every single photo. You’re doing an amazing job in the blogging world so just keep creating content that makes you happy x x

I think it’s great that you are keen to start a conversation that many people would avoid. I can completely understand why bloggers would choose to use photographers, and as you said if there is still creative input from the blogger then they aren’t just acting as a model. However I do think it’s sad that this is the way things are becoming. I like authentic bloggers that I can relate to and the glossier photos and bloggers become, the less I feel like this even if their written content is still great. I might be in a minority but I still like reading blogs that are slightly rough around the edges rather than an online magazine… But that being said some of my favourite blogs are very professional. Tricky topic!

Thanks Nicola! It’s a really tricky subject as you say, and one I am trying to figure out in my head. It has been really interesting to read people’s responses to this. Overall it sounds like people still want authentic and un-polished content from bloggers which is really nice to hear. I think if we all just try to imitate the content in the glossy magazines then what is setting bloggers apart? Thanks for your comment x

I don’t think it matters weather it is you friend/partner/professionals who takes the photo, what I love about bloggers is that they are real people that I can relate to and I don’t feel that way about models.

Thanks Laura! I am glad you don’t think it matters who takes the photo. I think it’s important for bloggers to stay as real as possible as authenticity is what gives bloggers the edge over magazines so if all blogs end up looking like magazine shoots then they are both one and the same! x

Thanks Jet! Totally agree. There are so many benefits of using a photographer but like you say if it was in every single post and image then it would take away the personal touch. The nice thing about sharing photos that you’ve taken is showing people what you saw, through your eyes xx

For the right collaboration, I can completely see why more bloggers are using professional photographers (and your shoot is fantastic by the way) but when it comes to travel, I do love seeing images that aren’t too touched up and make you feel like you’re there in the moment. PS love your top in these photos!

Thanks so much Lucy. I’m really glad you still prefer the raw and unedited travel photos. I think they definitely help to paint a realistic picture of that destination. I think as travel bloggers we have a bit of a social responsibility not to distort the reality too much because otherwise we are influencing people to visit somewhere that doesn’t really exist. xx

I think it’s great that bloggers and influencers get the opportunity to be more like models and use photographers for some of their shoots for advertising (who wouldn’t love this?!) however I would worry that it could take away from reality. Personally, I love your blogs and Instagram and the real attraction for me is that, while I could never take photos like you do, your insta has a certain appeal that feels like it’s possible and reflects real life. It feels like I could go out and take those photos on my iPhone (my boyfriend reminded me I couldn’t when we were in New York and I wanted photos like yours! Lol!). Also, I follow some of the ‘big name’ travel bloggers and while they’re great to look at, it seems like dream land and less like reality because they’re more staged and set up.

Thanks so much for your comment Steph! It’s so nice to hear that my content comes across as real and authentic. That has made my day :). I agree it’s great fun to ‘play at modelling’ but I do still want to feel like I have creative control over the final photos. Like you say it’s also important to maintain a sense of reality and with so many editing apps and photoshopping on travel photos this is becoming less common. It’s so interesting to hear everyones opinions on this subject and seems like everyone is taking something slightly different away from it. Have a lovely weekend xx

The Travelista is an award-winning UK luxury travel blog from Yorkshire via The World. Based in Leeds but frequently travelling, Jess loves to combine local and global adventures. All posts that are packed with advice and recommendations to help you plan your own trips.